I am Listening.....

"Its been a very hectic day today,I came back home by 5:30 pm, after a long meeting with a client, just had enough time to have a cup of tea, and have been working away on my laptop till 10 pm..sorry couldnt come to your room earlier, I knew you would be busy thinking about Deep,their son, so thats why didnt trouble you", Hope you are not angry, sweetie, said Mohan ... You know, i have to work extra hard now for Deeps future now...Had a small arguement with the boss also, Everybody in the office says, he doesnt get along with his wife, thas why he looks so peeved & fights with others - Not everybody can have an understanding wife like me --- You know neeta, you have many good qualities, but the best thing about you ---is your husband...& laughed at his own joke --- Neeta didnt look too amused

Mohan has been following this daily ritual of coming straight back from his work & heaidng staright to her & neetas room, where he would discuss the days tribulations, the small wins, the arguments at office, the politics with colleagues, the pressures of a demanding client..

Like all other days, Neeta was in rapt attention & listening very carefully not even battling an eyelid - They had known each other for almost 30 years now...First as neighours in the same colony - when as little kids they would catch glimpses of each other, play together in the colony compounds - visit each others house on festivals & occassions- go to birthday parties of many neighours together.. This frienship continued to grow as the years progresses, with both studying in the same school - Although not the best of friends in school, but they had a kind of a strange familiarty with each other - they were familiar enough not to be strangers, but yet not close enough to be friends - They would catch the school bus from the same bus stand, & would walk back most of the times together from the bus stop to their respective homes. They knew that the other would always be supportive on this little journey which they took together from Bus stop to school. Mohan would generally enter his home post their return from the bus stop, till he was sure Neeta would have entered her house - So it was a kind of a mutual care & understanding which they had - probably for old time sake . From school they moved to College & then on to their respective jobs - However continued to stay in the same colony... However it was during College that Neetas mother expired due to a prolonged illness, Thats the time when Mohans mother, Sushma played the supporting anchor to Neeta & her younger sister ... Neeta too needed a support & Sushma just provided that - That Sushma was particularly fond of Neeta, as a kid, was always evident, when she would take extra care of her out of the many children that would come to their house during the many birthday parties which kids from the colony attended - So while Neeta, recovered from the grief & shock opf her mothers death & coming to terms with the loss, her bond with Sushma & Mohans family grew --- and it was only natural that over the years, when both kids were ready for marriage, the respective parents didnt consider the other family, well aware of the bond that neeta shared with Mohans mother Sushma ..

So Sushma & Neeta were finally married .The two were more of friends &not your typical husband & wife relationship . Mohans work required him to be transferred to another city - Now suddenly the two of them, just had each other for Company, and each other to look after & talk to - This helped in strengthening their relationship further -they were more of friends & would discuss & speak to each other - Their alone time was a habit they cultivated over the years - and for the next 4 years this would become a routine which ther would never miss - Their daily discussion withe ach other - This habit stayed with them even after the birth of their 1st child & subsequent transfer back to their parents home town - Infact, once Neeta had asked Mohan - " You know mohan, Husbands & wives of today, want the world from each other - they want commitment, they want fidelty, they want love, sometimes unconditional,  financial security, Kids future, their own future security, care -- but theres one thing which you cant put a value on & which is very essential for the growth of the relationship which is the "their time for pondering" - the small things which we miss - I hope, even if for 10 minutes", we will always spend some "our time" together --- & this almost a daily ritual continued for so many years ....

There was a knock on the door, & Mohans thoughts were broken....It was Sushma knocking on the door, asking him to come out for dinner .....He bade goo bye to Neeta -- switched off the light from their room & came out

Mom. mohan said - "why have you not changed the flowers from Neeta's room", you know she never likes stale flowers --- Even the garland needs to be changed from her photo

Sure, I will change the garland & get fresh flowers tomorrow, said Sushma..She felt sad for her son, she knew that Mohan had still not gotten over Neetas death & loved her even more - She knew Mohan would talk to Neetas photograph everyday - But she was wondering, was Neeta listening ??